50 years on from independence,” unity” remains a dream for Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - Today Malaysia is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britain, in the presence of dignitaries and leaders from across South East Asia. On the eve of the national holiday, Kuala Lumpur threw the spotlight on the economic success in the country, whose strength / underlined the premier Abdullah Badawi – lies in its unity. Multi-ethnic and multi-cultural unlike many nations on the Asian continent, Malaysia however has yet to guarantee equal opportunities and rights for all of its citizens. The much touted unity of the government appears more of a goal to be reached, than an fact, given that the numerous Chinese and Indian communities and other religious minorities are still discriminated against in favour of the Muslim, Malay majority.
A Multi racial society
The tendency alarms many analysts. If authorities continue with these policies of discrimination and favouritism and with an emphasis on the Muslim religious sentiment as an instrument of propaganda to unite the nation, the following years will not be marked, as the last 50, by peace and political stability and progress, but by stagnation and social conflict.
Out of a total of 25 million inhabitants, Muslim Malays constitute 60% and dominate political life; 25% is of Chinese origins, and very influential in the economy, 10% is represented by Indians. 19.2% are Buddhists, 9.1% Christians and Hindus 6.3%. At the time of independence Malays were the poorest. The new economic politics launched in 1971 privileged there education and conferred privileges in the area of work, business, housing and public employment.
Debate on the Islamic State
The colourful and loud celebrations which took place today in the capital for the “Golden anniversary” only temporarily concealed the tensions which are rippling through public opinion for some time now. The heated debate regards the threat of an increasingly conservative Islam, pushed forward by Islamic tribunals which undermine the secular Constitution and democracy of the nation. In July the vice premier, Najib Razak, defined Malaysia an Islamic state; last week the Chief Justice, Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abduk Halim, suggested that the laws inherited from Great Britain should be changed and replaced by Sharia. Bothe declarations have generated widespread dismay and protest, aggravated by the governments generic response. “Malaysia is an Islamic nation, not an Islamic theocracy’.
The crux of the problem is that two laws exist in the country: Islamic law, imposed, at least officially, on Muslims alone and constitutional law. But often the two enter into conflict :the Constitution, for example guarantees freedom of religion, while the Islamic law punishes conversion. The most clamorous case was that of Lina Joy, whom the federal Court refused to recognise as having converted from Islam to Christianity, referring her case to the Islamic tribunal who may condemn her for apostasy. Minority groups, moreover, denounce the rising application of Islamic law also in cases which involve citizens from other religions.
The issue of religious freedom was also addressed by the nations Bishops Conference in its anniversary message. In the text sign by conference president, Msgr. Murphy Pakiam, the Catholic community is invited not to despair in the face of the “recent erosion of fundamental rights” but to “become promoters of dialogue between the ethnic groups and of religious harmony”. The bishops also highlight corruption, racial tensions and the rise in crime as other questions “the government must urgently address”.
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